Multi-use floor tool

ABSTRACT

A multi-use floor tool, with which the same nozzle can be used in both dry and wet vacuum operation, and which allows for both wet and dry cleaning attachments to be easily attached and removed is disclosed. One such cleaning attachment for dry operation is a bristle brush which, when attached to the nozzle, is able to rotate, such that debris is collected with both the push and pull cleaning motions and such that for each motion, air flows primarily through the side of the nozzle at which debris is being gathered. The attachment for wet operation is a squeegee, which is rigidly attached to the nozzle having an insert which reduces the area of air flow into the nozzle and thereby increases the effectiveness of wet cleaning. This design increases the effectiveness of both wet and dry operation, and allows the operator to effectively clean in both wet and dry conditions while using the same nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a multi-use floor tooland, more particularly, to a vacuum nozzle and attachments which can beutilized for both wet and dry operation.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] With the advent of the wet/dry vacuum, consumers became able toclean a multitude of areas of their home or business, and multiple typesof both wet and dry debris by using only one device. This technologythus allowed consumers to clean both wet and dry areas, without havingto purchase separate machines. However, in most wet/dry cleaningoperations, in order for an operator to transfer from wet to dryoperation of a vacuum, the operator had to switch nozzles, for example,from a bristle-brush nozzle to a squeegee nozzle, in order to get themost effective cleaning results. This resulted in a numerous amount ofparts which had to be manufactured, bought and stored.

[0005] For dry operation, many wet/dry vac nozzles have a bristle strippositioned just behind the brush nozzle's inlet. This results in thebristle only being effective in sweeping debris during the forwardcleaning stroke, rather than the backward stroke as well. Other types ofbrush nozzles had only a formed brush surrounding the bottom portion ofthe nozzle. In many cases, this brush was trimmed only on one side,which allowed the brush to effectively pick up debris only when moved inone direction. Other brush nozzles had reliefs cut around the perimeterof the brush which allowed for debris pickup in both sweepingdirections, but these designs did not redirect full air flow to the sideof the brush accumulating debris.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a single nozzle assembly that canbe effectively used during both wet and dry operation and that can beeasily transferred between wet and dry operational modes. There is alsoa need for a vacuum brush nozzle, in dry operation, which caneffectively pick up debris during both the forward and backward strokes,by redirecting the full air flow of the nozzle to the particular side ofthe brush accumulating debris at the time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed toward a multi-use floor toolthat addresses at least some of the needs as expressed above. Itincludes a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device, anddesigned to receive various cleaning attachments which can be easilyattached and removed. The nozzle housing can also be used for cleaningwithout any attachments inserted. The present invention also includes avacuum assembly having such attachments and features.

[0008] One cleaning attachment is a brush attachment for dry operation,having a brush head which can quickly and easily be attached to anddetached from the nozzle housing and a plurality of bristles thatprotrude from the brush head. Another such cleaning attachment is asqueegee attachment for wet operation, having a squeegee head which canquickly and easily be attached to and detached from the nozzle housing,and a squeegee body that protrudes from the squeegee head. A nozzleinsert can be used with the squeegee attachment. This nozzle insertlatches onto the bottom of the nozzle housing and has the effect ofreducing the surface area of air flow into the nozzle housing andthereby increasing the effectiveness of wet suction. Theabove-referenced cleaning attachments should also be of a sufficientlength that they protrude slightly from the bottom of the housing whenattached, so as to effectively engage the floor or other surface duringcleaning operation.

[0009] The nozzle housing is able to be attached to a vacuum device andcontains openings on its bottom and top such that air is allowed to flowthrough the nozzle housing when the vacuum is operating. It alsocomprises a latching means such that the head of a cleaning attachmentcan be easily attached and removed such that the same nozzle housing canbe used with various cleaning attachments during wet and dry operation.The nozzle can also contain a plurality of recesses inside of its bottomopening such that it can receive a nozzle insert effectively reducingthe open surface area of the bottom opening.

[0010] The brush attachment consists of a brush head having a pluralityof bristles attached to and laterally protruding from the brush head.These bristles, when the attachment is attached to the nozzle housing,should protrude out of the bottom of the nozzle housing so as to contactthe surface being cleaned. The brush head is rotatably attached to thesnap inside the nozzle housing such that the brush attachment, whenpushed or pulled, can rotate around its longitudinal axis. This rotationis blocked when the bristles of the attachment come into contact with abottom side of the nozzle. This allows the nozzle to be effective duringboth the push and pull cleaning motions, and forces the vacuum's suctionto flow through the side of the nozzle that is collecting debris duringthat motion.

[0011] The squeegee attachment is comprised of a squeegee head which canbe attached to the snap in the nozzle head, and has a resilientlyflexible squeegee body which laterally protrudes from the squeegee head.When the squeegee attachment is connected to the nozzle housing, thesqueegee body should slightly protrude out of the bottom of the nozzlehousing so as to contact the surface being cleaned. The squeegeeattachment can also consist of a nozzle insert which has an elongatehole in its center. The squeegee body protrudes through this hole whenthe squeegee insert is attached to the bottom of the nozzle housing. Thenozzle insert fits inside of the bottom of the nozzle, and snaps intoplace using tabs on the outside of the insert, which fit intocorresponding recesses inside of the nozzle housing. The nozzle inserthas the effect of decreasing the area of air flow through the bottom ofthe nozzle and thereby increasing the effectiveness of wet operation.

[0012] The net result of this disclosure is a multi-use floor tool whichis effective for both wet and dry vacuum operation and which can be usedin either wet or dry mode without having to replace the entire nozzlehousing, merely a cleaning attachment. Therefore, one object of theinvention is to allow either wet or dry operation of a vacuum devicewhile utilizing the same nozzle housing. This results in lowermanufacturing costs, as well as ease to consumers because they do nothave to purchase different nozzles for each mode of operation, and canquickly and easily switch from wet to dry operation.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide more effectivecleaning operation in dry mode by allowing the vacuum to effectivelypick up debris during both the push and pull strokes of the cleaningmotion. It is also allows the user to utilize the full air flow of thevacuum during either of these motions by attaching the brush assembly tothe nozzle housing, and allowing the brush to rotate with each push andpull motion, thereby restricting air flow through the nozzle to the sideof the brush that is collecting debris during that particular motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare hereinafter set forth and explained with reference to the drawings,wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the nozzle housing with noattachment inserted.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle housing withno attachment inserted.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the nozzle housing withno attachment inserted.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the brushattachment.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of thebrush attachment.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a front partial cutaway view of the nozzle housing indry mode, showing the brush assembly inserted into the nozzle housing.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle in dry modeshowing the brush attachment as inserted into the nozzle housing.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the squeegee attachment.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle insert.

[0024]FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle insert.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a front partial cutaway view of the nozzle housing inwet mode, showing both the squeegee attachment and nozzle insertattached to the nozzle housing.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle in wet modeshowing both the squeegee attachment and nozzle insert attached to thenozzle housing.

[0027]FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle housing in wet mode,showing the nozzle insert attached to the nozzle housing.

[0028]FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a vacuum assemblyincorporating the invention, as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Inthe interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementationare described in this specification. It will of course be appreciatedthat in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

[0030] In FIG. 1, a nozzle housing 2 for a multi-use floor tool, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is generallyindicated, comprising a nozzle head 4 that is able to attach to a vacuumor suction device (not shown), and having attached at its other end anelongated nozzle body 6. These components may be made up of a metal orpolymer material. Nozzle housing 2 has an open bottom surface area 8such that air and other materials can travel through nozzle housing 2and into the suction device. In one embodiment, nozzle housing 2 has alength and width of its bottom surface 8 such that its bottom surfacearea is larger than that of top opening 5 of nozzle head 4. For example,the bottom opening 8 may be 10 inches in length and 0.7 inches in width.An embodiment of nozzle housing 2 also comprises a lip 10 at the bottomof each of its longitudinal ends.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, nozzle housing 2 comprises a snap 12connected to said housing 2. An embodiment of snap 12 comprises aplurality flexible extensions 14 shaped such that the head of a cleaningattachment (not shown) can be easily attached to and removed from thenozzle housing 2. Snap 12 is preferably comprised of two resilientlyflexible extensions 14 attached to the inside top of the nozzle body 6.However, other configurations can be utilized which allow a cleaningattachment to be connected to and removed from said housing. Thus,attachment and removal of cleaning attachments can be achieved bypushing the head of said cleaning attachment through the openingprovided between the two extensions.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, nozzle housing 2 also comprises an opening 16such that air flows into the bottom 8 of nozzle body 6, into said nozzlehead 4 through opening 16, and into a suction device. An embodiment ofnozzle body 6 also comprises a plurality of recesses 18 set into theinner sides 20 of nozzle body 6 such that a cleaning attachment can besnapped into and out of body 6 through the bottom 8 of the nozzlehousing.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows a brush attachment 24 which is comprised of a brushhead 26 and a plurality of bristles 28. Brush head 26 has a lengthshorter than the length of bottom 8 of the nozzle housing 2, such thatsaid brush attachment 24 can easily fit into said nozzle body 6. Asshown in FIG. 5, attachment 24 may be made up of a plurality of bristles28 which are wrapped around a centering piece 30 and held together by anelongated brush head 26. Brush head 26 is preferably made up of a solidmaterial such as a polymer or metal, and is of a size such that it caneasily be attached to and removed from snap 12.

[0034] An embodiment of a multi-use floor tool configured as a drynozzle assembly 34 is shown in FIG. 6, with brush head 26 inserted intosnap 12 such that air flow is allowed around said brush attachment 24and through said dry nozzle assembly 34, and preferably such that saidbristles 28 protrude slightly out of the bottom of nozzle body 6.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, dry nozzle assembly 34 is comprised of nozzlehousing 2 having said brush attachment 24 attached to it by said snap12. Brush attachment 24 is preferably affixed to snap 12 in such a waythat brush head 26 can rotate within snap 12, around its ownlongitudinal axis. Such rotation is promoted by pushing or pulling saiddry nozzle assembly 34 across the surface to be cleaned, whichcorrespondingly rotates brush attachment 24 until bristles 28 touch thesides 36 of the bottom of the nozzle housing. When in this position, thefull amount of air flow is allowed through the open part of nozzlebottom 8, and the opposite side is correspondingly blocked. The rotationof brush attachment 24 inside of nozzle housing 2 thus allows forcleaning using the full amount of air flow during both the push and pullcleaning motions.

[0036] Shown in FIG. 8 is squeegee attachment 40, primarily used for wetoperation. Squeegee attachment 40 is comprised of a squeegee head 42,with a squeegee body 44 protruding laterally from head 42. Squeegeeattachment 40 has a length and width shorter than bottom 8 of saidnozzle housing, such that the squeegee attachment 40 can easily fit intothe bottom 8 of said nozzle housing. Squeegee attachment 40 may besuitably constructed of a rubber or polymer composition. Squeegee head42 should also have a size such that it can be easily inserted andremoved from snap 12. One such preferred shape of squeegee head 42 has asquare cross-section with grooves 46 longitudinally placed along itssides, as shown in FIG. 8. Squeegee body 44 preferably has a length suchthat when attached, it protrudes from the bottom 8 of said nozzlehousing so as to contact the surface being cleaned. It is alsopreferably constructed from a rubber or polymer composition which isresiliently flexible such that, during cleaning operation, squeegee body44 is allowed to bend slightly when dragged against the surface beingcleaned.

[0037] When optimum wet operation is desired, a nozzle insert 50 (seenin FIGS. 9 and 10) is preferably attached to the bottom of nozzle body6, as shown in FIG. 11. Nozzle insert 50 preferably is shaped such thatit can fit easily into the bottom 8 of nozzle housing 2 but should besubstantially the same shape as the nozzle housing's bottom opening 8for most effective use. Nozzle insert 50 is preferably constructed ofpolymer material, and, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 9, comprises aplurality of tabs 52 along its outer edges. These tabs 52 correspond torecesses 18 inside of nozzle body 6 such that nozzle insert 50 can beattached to nozzle body 6 by snapping it into place. As an alternativeembodiment, nozzle insert 50 can be formed to surround the bottom ofnozzle housing 2 such that it fits snugly around and attaches to thenozzle housing without the use of tabs and recesses.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, nozzle insert 50 also contains aninner opening 54 through which air and other materials can pass. Thisinner opening 54 is bounded by an inner insert frame 56 upon which ispreferably a plurality of lateral ridges 58. Opening 54 has a length andwidth satisfactory to allow squeegee body 44 to fit laterally throughthe inner opening 54 and preferably such that ridges 58 contact squeegeebody 44. An embodiment of nozzle insert 50 is shown in FIG. 10, whichdemonstrates a preferred cross-sectional shape of the nozzle insert 50.When nozzle insert 50 is inserted into the nozzle housing 6, it providesthe function of reducing the surface area through which materials canflow, and increasing suction pressure, resulting in more efficientsuction of wet materials.

[0039] The multi-use floor tool configured as wet nozzle assembly 62,shown in FIG. 11, comprises nozzle housing 2 with both the squeegeeattachment 40 and nozzle insert 50 attached to the nozzle housing. Thesqueegee head 42 is attached to the nozzle body 6 by snap 12. Nozzleinsert 50 is also attached inside the bottom 8 of nozzle body 6.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 12, squeegee body 44 preferably protrudesslightly from the bottom 8 of nozzle housing 2. The area of bottomopening 8 is also effectively reduced such that air and other materialsare able to pass only through inner opening 54 of the insert nozzle 50.The effectiveness of wet suction can thereby be increased. Also,squeegee body 44 is preferably able to bend resiliently in order to moreeffectively promote the clean-up of wet materials.

[0041]FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of nozzle insert 50 held inside nozzlebody 6 by the plurality of tabs 52 along its sides. Said flapscorrespond to the plurality of recesses 18 on the inside of the nozzlebody 6.

[0042]FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention employed on a vacuum 60. As will be appreciated by one skilledin the art with the benefit of this disclosure, the multi-use floor toolcan be utilized on any such application. As shown in FIG. 14, vacuum 60comprises a collection tub 62 having a lid 63 and a powerhead assembly64. The collection tub 62 and the lid 63 are preferably made ofinjection-molded plastic, such as polypropylene or the like, inaccordance with conventional practice.

[0043] In accordance with conventional designs, an air inlet port 65 isdefined in the lid 63 or, alternatively, may be defined in a side wallof the collection tub 62. The powerhead assembly 64 houses a motor andimpeller assembly, and has defined therein an air exhaust or outlet port66. The powerhead assembly 64 is operable to create a suction within thecollection tub 62, such that debris and/or liquid is drawn in to thecollection tub 62 through the hose 67, which is attached to the inletport 65. Multi-use floor tool (not shown) may be attached to hose 67 atan end opposite that attached to inlet port 65.

[0044] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure, that the multi-use floor tool providesdistinct advantages over previous floor tools, such advantages includingthe following:

[0045] (a) The multi-use floor tool allows a vacuum operator toeffectively perform both wet and dry cleaning using a single nozzle. Theoperator is able to easily attach and detach wet and dry cleaningattachments, depending on what type of use is desired, or to clean usingthe nozzle alone, with no attachments.

[0046] (b) The multi-use floor tool also provides increasedeffectiveness of dry vacuum operation by allowing full air-flowoperation during both the push and pull cleaning motions. The brushattachment is allowed to rotate with each push and pull motion such thatas the nozzle is moved along a cleaning surface, airflow is redirectedto the side in which debris is being collected during that motion.

[0047] The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry outthe objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well asothers inherent therein. While presently preferred inventions have beengiven for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and are encompassed within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor tool comprising: a nozzle housing adaptedto be coupled to a vacuum device, the nozzle housing defining an airflow passage; a cleaning attachment; and at least one snap affixedinside of said housing, the snap adapted to receive the cleaningattachment to removably affix the cleaning attachment to the housing. 2.The floor tool of claim 1, said snap comprising a plurality ofextensions such that the head of a cleaning attachment can be insertedbetween said extensions and affixed thereby to the housing.
 3. The floortool of claim 1, said cleaning attachment further comprising: a head;and a cleaning element attached to the head, the cleaning element sizedsuch that when the head is attached to the nozzle, at least a portion ofthe cleaning element extends from the bottom of said housing.
 4. Thefloor tool of claim 1, said cleaning attachment comprising a brushhaving a brush head and a plurality of bristles affixed to the head andsized such that, when attached to the latch, at least a portion of saidbristles extend out of the head, said brush head able to be rotatablyattached to said latch such that said cleaning attachment is able torotate around the longitudinal axis of said brush head.
 5. The floortool of claim 1, said cleaning attachment comprising a squeegee having asqueegee head with a squeegee body attached to the head and sized suchthat when attached to the latch, at least a portion of said body extendsout of said head, said cleaning assembly able to be attached to saidsnap.
 6. The floor tool of claim 5, said squeegee body being resilientlyflexible.
 7. The floor tool of claim 5, said cleaning attachment furthercomprising a nozzle insert, having an inner opening, said nozzle insertable to be attached to the bottom of said nozzle housing such that saidsqueegee body fits laterally through said inner opening, said inneropening being smaller in cross-sectional area than the bottom surfacearea of said nozzle housing.
 8. A floor tool comprising: a nozzlehousing adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device; at least one snapaffixed inside of said housing; and a cleaning attachment adapted to beattached to and removed from said snap.
 9. The floor tool of claim 8,said cleaning attachment further comprising a head adapted to bedetachably affixed to said snaps, and a cleaning element affixed to saidhead.
 10. The floor tool of claim 9, said cleaning element comprising abrush, said head adapted to rotate around its longitudinal axis whenattached to said snaps.
 11. The floor tool of claim 10, said brushcomprising a plurality of bristles, said bristles being attached to abrush head.
 12. The floor tool of claim 9, wherein said cleaningattachment comprises a squeegee head adapted to be attached to saidsnaps, and a squeegee body attached to said squeegee head.
 13. The floortool of claim 12, said cleaning attachment further comprising a nozzleinsert having an inner opening, which can be attached to said nozzlehousing having a smaller surface area than the bottom surface area ofsaid nozzle housing.
 14. The floor tool of claim 13, wherein said nozzleinsert is substantially the same shape as the bottom opening of thenozzle housing and said inner opening is shaped such that said squeegeebody is able to fit perpendicularly through said inner opening.
 15. Thefloor tool of claim 14, wherein said insert further comprises aplurality of tabs along its outside edges and housing further comprisesa plurality of recesses along its inner sides corresponding to saidtabs, such that said insert can be rigidly affixed to said recesses onthe inside surface of said nozzle housing.
 16. The floor tool of claim8, said snap being attached to the inside of said housing substantiallyon said housing's longitudinal center.
 17. The floor tool of claim 8,said snap comprising a plurality of flexible extensions.
 18. A floortool comprising: a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled to a vacuumdevice; a retention means affixed inside of said housing; and a cleaningattachment adapted to be attached to and removed from said retentionmeans.
 19. A vacuum comprising: a tub; a suction means attached to saidtub; a hose attached to said suction means; a nozzle adapted to becoupled to said hose, the nozzle housing defining an air flow passage; acleaning attachment; and at least one snap affixed inside of saidhousing, the snap adapted to receive the cleaning attachment toremovably affix the cleaning attachment to the housing.
 20. The vacuumof claim 19, said snap comprising a plurality of extensions such thatthe head of a cleaning attachment can be inserted between saidextensions and affixed thereby to the housing.
 21. The vacuum of claim19, said cleaning attachment further comprising: a head; and a cleaningelement attached to the head.
 22. The vacuum of claim 19, said cleaningattachment comprising a brush having a brush head and a plurality ofbristles affixed to the head and sized such that, when attached to thesnap, at least a portion of said bristles extend out of the head, saidbrush head able to be rotatably attached to said snap such that saidcleaning attachment is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis ofsaid brush head.
 23. The vacuum of claim 19, said cleaning attachmentcomprising a squeegee having a squeegee head with a squeegee bodyattached to the head and sized such that when attached to the snap, atleast a portion of said body extends out of said head, said cleaningassembly adapted to be attached to said snap.